OROVILLE, Calif. – The California School Boards Association (CSBA) has awarded the Butte County Office of Education with a prestigious Golden Bell Award for its Reading for Resilience program, developed by the Far North Literacy Development Consortium.

“I’m thrilled to see this recognition for everyone who worked so hard, and so passionately, to create such an impactful and meaningful program,” said Butte County Superintendent of Schools Mary Sakuma.

The Reading for Resilience program empowers teachers in Northern California to support students’ literacy and social-emotional development in a region prone to natural disasters. It focuses on research-backed strategies, Universal Design for Learning principles, and collective teacher efficacy. The program has made a significant impact on students’ well-being and academic success, fostering resilience in the face of adversity.

“This has been a dream come true,” said Advisor LEA/Grant Director Minden Byrne King. “It recognizes the hard work of the literacy coaches, the teachers, the administration, everyone. And it also recognizes the hours and hours of coaching, support, development, and late-night phone calls to support each other. We’ve truly become a Far North family.”

About the Far North Literacy Development Consortium

The Far North Literacy Development Consortium is a collaboration between the offices of education in Butte, Shasta, Modoc, and Plumas counties in Northern California, supporting pilot schools in all four counties. Reading for Resilience addresses the specific needs of students in the disaster-prone north state. School and teacher survey data and student ELA (English Language/Arts and literacy) scores measure program efficacy.

The award recognized the participation of Sakuma, Byrne King, Board President Julian Diaz, Deputy Superintendent Michelle Zevely, Senior Advisor Jeanette Spencer, and Grant Manager Tricia Grunerud.

“Seeing the faces of the kids and families, and how appreciative they are, fills my soul,” Byrne King said. “It fills me with joy and makes me know we’re doing the right thing.”

About the Golden Bell Award

The CSBA Golden Bell Awards promote excellence in education and school board governance. They recognize outstanding programs and governance practices of school boards in school districts and county offices of education throughout California.